563 – The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by earthquakes.
1777 – Kiritimati, also called Christmas Island, is discovered by James Cook
1818 – Christmas carol “Silent Night” composed by Franz Xaver Gruber is first sung at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria
1922 – BBC broadcasts first British radio play “The Truth about Father Christmas”
1922 – London Coliseum opens
1948 – For the first time ever, a midnight Mass was broadcast on television. It was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
1970 – Walt Disney’s “Aristocats” is released
1997 – 1st time a Channukah candle is officially lit in Vatican City
1999 – Opening of St Peter’s Holy Door by Pope John Paul II in approach of 3rd millennium
1999 – An Indian Airlines plane was seized during a flight from Katmandu, Nepal, to New Delhi. In Afghanistan, the 150 hostages were freed in December 31 after India released three Kashmir militants from prison.
By: Archa Dave
